UPDATE: Police allege ‘casual drinks’ turned into murder

A WARWICK man has been charged with murder over the shooting death of another man at the weekend.

Benjamin James Nunns is accused of shooting a 38-year-old-Warwick man in the face as he sat in his ute outside a Glen Rd residence in the early hours of Sunday morning. Detective Inspector Matt Howard said Mr Nunns, the other man and each of their partners were at the Glen Rd residence when the incident occurred.

"At about 4am on Sunday morning, police were called to an address in Warwick in relation to
000 calls from people hearing gunshots and a horn sounding on a vehicle," Insp Howard
said. "On police arrival, they located the deceased slouched over a motor vehicle in the driveway at that address."

Insp Howard said the group of four was having "casual drinks" at the Glen Rd residence, where the police believe Mr Nunns was living at the time of the incident.

" (Nunns) and the deceased male were at the same gathering at that address, and there was only two other persons in that place at that time," Insp Howard said.

"(They) were having a drink together."

Police will allege that over the course of the evening, the two men were allegedly involved in an argument.

It is alleged the victim was hit over the head repeatedly with an undisclosed object before being shot in the face.

Insp Howard said while police were unable to comment on what might have led to the alleged altercation between Mr Nunns and the other man, they had been successful in finding parts of a weapon in nearby bushland.

"The SES assisted us yesterday with a search in some bushland where we believe the firearm is located," Inspector Howard said.

"We have located parts of the firearm, however, we will be conducting further searches today with a police dog from Brisbane assisting in that."

It is alleged that Mr Nunns broke into another residence only 300m away from the Glen Rd house.

This second Warwick address was where he was located and apprehended by police early Sunday morning.

Insp Howard said the alleged break-in was "traumatic" for the second house's occupants, but police were quick to act and took Mr Nunns into custody about an hour after attending the first scene.

"(The residents) were thinking straight enough to call the police, and we attended a short time after and arrested the male person," Insp Howard said.

"It was great work by the Warwick police and the Toowoomba dog squad who also came out to assist.

"They entered the address without knowing whether the person was active with a firearm or not, so they showed a lot of bravery in that instance."

Mr Nunns was charged with one count each of murder, burglary and committing an indictable offence.

His matter was mentioned in the Warwick Magistrates Court yesterday morning and adjourned to July 1. Mr Nunns did not make an application for bail and will be remanded in custody.

Insp Howard said the initial forensic work on the primary crime scene had finished.

"The forensic officers have completed the scene and handed it over to investigators," Insp Howard said.